The marquis listened with entire tranquillity.
"One or two more in the audience will matter little"; and, smiling, he walked away.
A strange tremor seized on the chin and lower lip of Despard. He said to François, "Come with me," and then, in a bewildered manner, "He isn't afraid yet. I—I want him to be afraid."
"Dame! thou wilt wait then till the cows roost and the chickens give milk."
"No; it will come."
"Stuff! How camest thou here? Didst thou denounce thyself? I have heard of men mad enough to do that."
"No. Do not tell. I trust thee; I always did trust thee. I am a spy. I am to stay here till I want to be let out, when he—he is tried. I wanted to watch him. Some day he will have fear—fear—and—I—"
"Well, of all the mad idiots! A mouse to walk into a trap of his own accord! Dieu! but the cheese must have smelt good to thee."
"I shall go out when I want to go. Didst thou know his daughter is dead? I am sorry she is dead."
"Yes—God rest her soul!"